Chaos descends on US airports

United Airlines cut 40 flights, US Airways halted 100, Delta Air Lines dropped 126 and Northwest Airlines canceled 174 flights.

JetBlue Airways expected to cancel 20 flights at JFK, Continental Airlines cut 11 flights and Southwest Airlines dropped 17.

It could take 36 hours for planes and crews to get back into position after the power disruptions, said Terry Trippler of Cheapseats.com.

Not knowing when or if he could fly was irritating to Jim Innes, a Canadian stranded at Chicago's O'Hare.

"This is very annoying. I'm going to miss my golf game if I don't get there on time today," Innes said.